Download energy CheAt Sheet: the bASiCS

Energy Cheat Sheet: The Basics
1. Energy is the ability to do work
2. Energy is never lost, but it may result in byproducts
3. Energy can be converted from one form to another
Types of Energy and Examples
You can use this chart to keep track of your baseline data. Make sure to decide at the beginning which
unit of measure you will use for each type of energy and record the unit each time.
Type of Energy
Description Examples
Potential
Energy that is stored (ready to be used
and changed into another form)
A stretched rubber band
Kinetic
Energy of motion
A swinging hammer
Mechanical
Potential and kinetic working together
A garbage truck
Machines
Chemical
Energy that is stored in the bonds between atoms (a type of potential energy)
Food has potential to be used
as energy in our bodies
A battery has potential to
make a CD player or TV
remote work
Thermal (heat)
Food in the microwave has
thermal energy after the
microwave has heated it
Heat is the energy being transferred (transferred by conduction and radiation);
after it is transferred, it is called thermal energy
Sound
Energy in the Form of a sound
Playing a guitar
Speaking
Light
Energy in the Form of light
The sun
Turning on a light bulb
Electrical
Air conditioning
Energy of moving electrons
Examples of Energy Conversions
Action
Running in place
Turning on a light switch
Tossing a ball in the air
Alarm clock
Lighting a match
Starting form of Energy Ending form of Energy
Chemical
Electrical
Potential
Electrical
Chemical
Kinetic and Thermal
Electrical
Kinetic
Sound and Light
Sound, Thermal, and Light